Casters Fly Shop was established in Hickory, North Carolina in 1999. We are located at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in western North Carolina- the gateway to some of the finest trout waters east and west of the Mississippi. It is our mission, as a Platinum Orvis Dealer, to furnish the fly angler with all the tools necessary to be successful on the water or in front of the fly tying bench.

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Popular Trout Fishing Opportunities in Western North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL SYNOPSIS 11/09/2010

The trout fishing has been superb this fall. Let's keep it that way. Call 1-800-POACHER or 919-707-0030 to report illegal activity on the rivers and streams, or in the woods. Do your part, take a bite out of poaching.

The 10 day mountain forecast is showing a stint of beautiful fall weather. The warmer temps should turn the fish on so get on the water this week if you can.

It is all dependent on the stream you fish and the time of day you fish it but look for a potpourri of insects on the rivers and streams this time of the year- midges (sz.22-30), BWO's (sz.20-24), caddis (sz.10-16), etc.. The "tiny fly" season is beginning to take hold.

If you see bugs in the air and fish slashing near the surface, these are great indicators of fish that are willing to feed on or near the surface. In this case, try to determine what insects they are consuming and the stage of the lifecycle these insects are at (emerger/pupa, cripple, dun, spinner). Then, prepare your 2 fly rig accordingly (cripple and emerger, dun and emerger, etc.).

If you dont see this behavior, fish a double nymph rig (pheasant tails, stripper midges, zebra midges, disco midges, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, egg patterns, Mercer's micro mayflies, copper John's, shop vacs, serenstupidies, Hise's sili skin caddis, rainbow warriors, Duke's Prince John, gooey caddis larva, squirmie wormy, etc.) for the most consistent success. Nymphs fished deep is always a great way to go, day in and day out on any trout stream in the world. Remember, most of the time, larger trout will move laterally for their food as opposed to vertically.

WATAUGA- NC

Watauga County: Delayed Harvest Section of Watauga River (intersection of S.R. 1557 and S.R. 1558 to N.C. 105 bridge and S.R. 1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge at Valle Crucis). Call 1-800-POACHER or 919-707-0030 to report illegal activity on the rivers and streams, or in the woods. The Watauga River is a beautiful North Carolina mountain stream located in the vicinity of Boone, Blowing Rock, and Foscoe. It is within easy access to anglers traveling from Charlotte, Morganton, Lenoir, and Statesville. NCWRC put a load of fish in the Delayed Harvest section earlier this month. Fish a variety of nymph patterns under an indicator for the best results; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, Hise's sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers. Look for the above mentioned aquatic insects to be fluttering about mostly in the evening. Good Luck!

BOONE FORK CREEK- NC

Boone Fork Creek is a catch and release stream that starts at Price Lake dam off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This stream flows into the Watauga River near Foscoe, NC. Julian Price Park, which is located just outside of Boone, NC, offers the best access. Be aware of the POSTED signs because there are various private stretches on this stream. Use the usual suspects for the wily brown trout, brook char, and rainbow trout; black woolly buggers, prince nymphs, red hot midges, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, copper John's, squirmy wormies, San Juan Worms, y2k's, and rainbow warriors have been the most productive patterns.

CURTIS CREEK- NC

McDowell County: Delayed Harvest Section of Curtis Creek (the game land portion downstream of the U.S. Forest Service boundary at Deep Branch). Fishing has been decent despite the low water. Water levels are a bit better following the last shot of precipitation. Use the usual suspects (like those on the Watauga or Wilson creek).

The catch and release regulated section of the Davidson River is known, to many anglers, as one of the top fly fishing rivers on the east coast. This is due, in part, to its excellent population of large trout and regularly occurring hatches. You'll want to fish with mostly tiny bugs and fine tippet (from the tubes upstream of the hatchery to just below the parking lot). Try BWO nymphs, midge larvae (size 22-30), and small worm patterns. Specific patterns include zebra midges, red hot midges, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, pheasant tails, rainbow warriors, epoxy buzzers, disco midges, stripper midges, flash midges, Evenson's 2be midges, Hanner's glass of wine midges, RS2's, WD40's, WD50's, Mercer's micro mayflies, bionic brassies, and brassies.

MITCHELL RIVER- NC

Surry County: Delayed Harvest Section of Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the S.R. 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam). Mitchell River is within close proximity to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Elkin, and Greensboro. NCWRC re-stocked the Delayed Harvest section at the beginning of the month. Utilize patterns that are productive on any Delayed Harvest or Catch and Release stream.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN STATE PARK- NC

Burke County: Delayed Harvest Section of Jacob Fork Creek (from Shinny Creek to lower South Mountains State Park boundary). The Delayed Harvest section of Jacob Fork Creek in South Mountain State Park is in close proximity to Charlotte, Hickory, Morganton, Valdese, and Statesville. NCWRC has restocked and fishing has been fair.

STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK- NC

Wilkes County: Delayed Harvest Sections of East Prong of the Roaring River (the mouth of Bullhead Creek downstream to Stone Mountain State Park boundary line), and Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany County line to confluence with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek). There are more than 17 miles of trout streams in Stone Mountain State Park which is located near Elkin, North Carolina. There are numerous classifications of streams to fish, including a "trophy" section on Bullhead Creek. On Bullhead Creek, anglers pay $15 to fish one of eight beats (or sections) for the entire day. Check out the beautiful Wild Trout streams that can be hiked into and fished. Use the usual suspects; prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, pheasant tails, lightning bugs, Holy Grails, rainbow warriors, zebra midges, stripper midges, red hot midges, hare's ear nymphs, squirmies, and Y2K's, to name a few.

RAVEN FORK OF THE OCUNALUFTEE RIVER- NC

Roughly 2 miles of the Raven Fork within the Cherokee Indian Reservation (in Western North Carolina) is now open to FLY FISHING ONLY, CATCH AND RELEASE angling. This is an absolutely beautiful, crystal clear river which flows out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anglers must possess a valid Cherokee Indian Reservation Enterprise Waters Fishing Permit ($7.00) and the additional Special Use Permit ($20.00 annually) associated with Cherokee Trophy Trout, Catch and Release Waters. Rumor has it that the annual license is going up to $75 and the daily permit will be $10 starting December 1st. You'll want to try zebra midges, Hanner's glass of wine midges, stripper midges, copper John's, pheasant tails, Barr's emergers, Mercer's micro mayflies, squirmy wormies, white or black woolly buggers, prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs (orange or copper), Ian's brass asses, bionic brassies, and egg patterns, to name a few. When in doubt, go small but squirmies and y2k's have been working best. Rumor has it that some anglers are throwing pellets and then casting out a pellet fly. Good luck catching anything if this behavior is evident in your vicinity.

LINVILLE RIVER- NC

The Linville River originates near the Blue Ridge Parkway and a few miles later plunges 85 feet over Linville Falls into the extremely rugged Linville Gorge. The river flows through the Linville Gorge Wilderness for 17 miles, during which it drops 1,880 feet and offers one of the most difficult stretches of whitewater in the eastern United States. Recent reports from the gorge were good. Be careful if you decide to go in; boulder hopping can be dangerous. Use the usual suspects; Hise's Eggi Juan Kenobis, San Juan worms, pheasant tails, Holy Grails, hare's ear nymphs, copper John's, heavyweight stones, Kaufmann's stones, and woolly buggers.

WILSON CREEK- NC

Caldwell County: Delayed Harvest Section of Wilson Creek (the game lands boundary downstream of Lost Cove Creek to Phillips Branch). The Wilson Creek area is part of the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. The area is just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain (just north of Morganton). Wilson Creek was added to the National Wild and Scenic River System in 2000. The headwaters are below Calloway Peak and the creek stretches over 23 miles before emptying into the John's River. Andrews Creek, Lost Cove Creek, and Wilson Creek (upper) are all managed under the NCWRC's Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations. Other notable streams in the area include North Harper and South Harper Creeks which are managed under the NCWRC's Wild Trout regulations. The Delayed Harvest section was re-stocked earlier this month. Use the usual suspects; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, Hise's sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, red hot midges, disco midges, stripper midges, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers.

NANTAHALA RIVER- NC

Macon County: Delayed Harvest Section of the Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to Nantahala hydropower discharge canal). Below the powerhouse is an excellent Tailrace for roughly 8 miles. Both sections offer great angling opportunities on a year-round basis. In fact, the Nantahala is listed in Trout Unlimited's Top 100 Trout Streams, and it has been featured in numerous major magazines. The Nantahala is a premier white water destination in Western North Carolina so be prepared for a flotilla of kayaks and rubber rafts. Dont be discouraged however; the wily trout are used to this floating traffic. In the upper section you'll want to fish small dries and nymphs under the overhanging bushes, especially rhododendrons. In the Tailrace portion, fish dries and nymphs that represent BWO's, and midges. Egg and worm patterns, and woolly buggers are also extremely productive.

TUCKASEEGEE RIVER- NC

Jackson County: Delayed Harvest Section of Tuckasegee River (N.C. 107 bridge at Love Field to the Dillsboro dam). The Tuckaseegee River flows through the towns of Sylva, Webster, and Dillsboro North Carolina. Fishing has been great on the Tuckaseegee. Use the usual suspects as those on most tailwater streams with a few crazy attractors (eggs, worms, nymphs, & streamers) thrown in the mix.

NEW RIVER- NC

Despite its name, the New River is considered to be possibly one of the oldest rivers in the world, between 10 million and 360 million years old. It flows in a south to north course, which is against the southwest to northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains and the west to east flow of most other nearby major rivers; especially in Virginia and North Carolina. It is formed by the confluence of the South Fork and the North Fork of the New. The New River is home to many species of freshwater game fish including bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish. It is considered, by many, as one of the finest smallmouth rivers in the country. It is a extremely large and often ominous stream to fish. Anglers will find sections of fast riffle water, pools, deep pockets, and glassy flat water. It is best fished within a watercraft but can also be waded in various sections throughout; especially near the State Park accesses and along the North and South Forks. The smallies are plentiful and fairly forgiving to catch. They average 10 to 16 inches and it is not uncommon for anglers to find smallies that range in size from 18 to 24 inches. Streamers and nymphs work throughout the season and poppers rule from the summer through the fall. Try streamers like tequeely, woolly buggers, EZ mite, Dick Smith, and various baitfish and crawfish patterns.

Throw a dry/dropper rig for the best success. Try a stimi chew toy, royal Wulff, cdc para Wulff, stimulator, or elk hair with a small nymph 12-20 inches below. The wild fish are beginning to spawn so let them do their thing peacefully.

MOUNTAIN WILD TROUT STREAMS- NC

Stealth on the approach and a good presentation are the keys to success while fishing these small streams. Always remember, wild trout (and brook char) are very opportunistic and will eat just about anything when it is presented properly (and if not spooked). Try a dry/dropper set up with a high floating dry (stimulator, stimi chew toy, humpy, elk hair, light cahill, cdc para wulff (cahill), etc.) and a pheasant tail, Hise's heterogenius nymph, tellico nymph, Mercer's micro mayfly, hare's ear, lightning bug, Ian's brass ass, Hise's sili skin caddis, or copper John as the lead fly. Also, muddler minnows, Mickey Finn's, wooly buggers, and black nosed dace swung and stripped around can be quite productive. These wild fish should be doing the spawing thing so let them do it in peace.

Dave Hise/Casters Fly Shop

Handy Work at the Helm

Fish from Video Above

About Me

I grew up in Los Angeles and my fly fishing addiction began at the age of 14. Growing up, I fly fished places like Piru Creek, San Gabriel River, and the LA River; but also made frequent jaunts throughout the West.
I went away to college and completed my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1989 with a degree in Physical Anthropology.
It was at that point, that I strived to become a Forensic Osteologist. I moved to Michigan to attend graduate school at Michigan State University, where I was in the PhD program in Forensic Osteology. Following roughly 3 years of field work, which included many hours in the morgue, I began to wonder if I was really cut out for that line of work.
I understood that fly fishing was my real passion but often wondered how I could make a career out of my hobby. My primary line of work throughout school was guiding and working in fly shops. In my mind, I knew the fly fishing industry. With this in mind, I decided to quit graduate school and move to Montana. The rest is history....